PhD Fellowship in Research on Historical and Contemporary Pandemics from a Humanities Perspective

Position: Humanities/media- and communication studies PhD Fellow in Pandemiology
Location: Department of Communication and Arts Journalism and Democracy and the PandemiX Center at the Department of Science and Environment, at Roskilde University, Denmark.

The PandemiX Center of Excellence and the Department of Communiation and Arts at Roskilde University, Denmark, invites applications for a PhD fellowship in Pandemiology. The position is open to candidates with a strong, original, research proposal, and a background in the humanities/media- or communication studies, for instance history, philosophy, cultural studies, literature, communication, journalism or media studies. The position will be under the supervision of a professor in the Department of Communication and Arts at Roskilde University, and co-supervised by Professor Lone Simonsen, Professor and Center Leader of PandemiX and an expert in infectious disease epidemiology, also at Roskilde University. The PandemiX Center is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and aims to investigate signature features of pathogens with pandemic potential, including historical outbreaks, to better prepare for the identification and control of future pandemics. This unique interdisciplinary research opportunity offers an exciting opportunity to studying humanities angles – say, history, bioethics, communication – that sheds light on important aspects on the impact and control of historical and contemporary pandemics – such as COVID-19.

Job Description
The successful candidate will be responsible for researching humanities-related topics in the context of historical and contemporary pandemics, with an eye towards improving our understanding of the recent human experience with COVID-19. The research will support the center’s ongoing quantitative studies of disease spread and mitigation. This work could involve a close coupling of observational and theoretical research methods, with a solid anchor in methodologies from the humanities. Ideally, the research is highly relevant to the aims of the PandemiX center and should be in line with ongoing strong research environments in the Department of Communication and Arts. There will be opportunities for international study exchange with relevant colleagues abroad. We encourage the applicant to contact potential supervisors in the department to seek to align research interests with skills and ongoing research at DPA.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on topics within the humanities relevant to historical and contemporary pandemics, with an eye towards the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Investigate factors driving pandemic spread and control, such as vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, democracy during a pandemic crisis, the role of the experts, the media for disseminating critical information, etc etc.
• Participate in active research environments, including collaboration with international partners as well as active participation in international conferences.
• Participate in PandemiX research activities and summer schools, including presenting key findings and exchange ideas with Center colleagues representing other fields
• Complete relevant PhD courses, equivalent to approximately 30 ECTS.
• Engage in teaching and knowledge dissemination activities.
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals.
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on the research project.

Qualifications
Master's degree in a discipline within the humanities, such as history, anthropology, philosophy, communication, or related/relevant fields such as law, bioethics, etc.

• A strong background and documented interest in pursuing qualitative research relevant to pandemic diseases that matches an existing research environment in DPA is critical.
• Excellent communication skills in both written and oral English.
• Excellent Danish language skills if the project includes Danish-language data/sources, or the generation of primary interview data in that language.
• Motivated, creative, and capable of independent research work.
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
• Familiarity with the role of diseases in historical and contemporary society – including COVID-19 - is advantageous but not mandatory.

Application Process
Roskilde University welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment. Interested candidates should apply online by submitting the following documents in English:

• Cover Letter detailing motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project.
• PhD project description with original research idea (max 5 pages of 12000 characters, incl. spaces).
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including information about education, research experience, language skills, and other relevant qualifications.
• Original diplomas for a Master degree in the humanities, and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish.
• Publication list (if applicable).
• Reference letters (if available).
• Application Deadline: October 20, 2023
• The successful candidate is expected to start the position on February 1, 2024

Find guidelines for PhD job applications here: https://ruc.dk/en/doctoral-school-communication-and-arts#accordion-Application-and-admission

For more information about the PandemiX research and collaboration with the PandemiXCenter, please contact Lone Simonsen, email: lonesimo@ruc.dk, tlf: 4674 2606

For more information about the Doctoral program and research environments at the Department of Communication a please contact head of the Doctoral School, professor Rikke Andreassen, email: rikkean@ruc.dk

Additional information about the PhD study at the Roskilde University is available at the PhD School's website: https://ruc.dk/en/phd-roskilde-university.

We look forward to receiving your application. APPLY NOW.

About the PandemiX Center
The PandemiX Center of Excellence, funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF), aims to investigate signature features of pathogens with pandemic potential, including historical outbreaks. A goal is to work closely with Statens Serum Institute towards preparedness for future pandemics. The center is headed by Professor of Population Health Sciences Lone Simonsen, and brings together a diverse group of interdisciplinary researchers from Roskilde University (RUC), the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and North Zealand Hospital (NOH).

About the Department of Communication and Arts
Your daily workplace will be Department of Communication and Arts at Roskilde University. DCA covers RUC’s Communication programs (Communication, Journalism, and Performance Design) and Art programs (Danish, Philosophy, History, and Cultural Encounters). We conduct excellent, interdisciplinary research in the intersection between Communication, Cultural Studies, Social Science, and Humanities, and offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment, characterized by diversity with respect to theory, method, and area of study in research and education.

About Roskilde University
Roskilde University is a leading Danish institution dedicated to promoting research and teaching of the highest international standard. The university provides an ambitious and informal environment for cultivating talent and offers excellent working conditions and a collaborative work culture. Homepage: https://studyindenmark.dk/portal/roskilde-university-ruc

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than October 20, 2023.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Roskilde Universitets fornemmeste opgave er eksperimenterende, nyskabende former for læring, forskning og problemløsning, som flytter samfundet fremad. Vi uddanner kompetente tværfaglige kandidater og skaber videnskabelige resultater af højeste kvalitet gennem åbenhed, involvering og videndeling.
Roskilde Universitet har ca. 6.500 studerende, 900 ansatte og 800 mio. kr. i årlig omsætning.